Ulrich Krauss paid tribute to the achievements of his predecessor Josef May and summarized his goals as the new chairman as follows: “I would like to further sharpen the relevance and profile of the association in the political and public spheres, while helping to shape the relevant industrial policy issues. Vision, understanding, clarity and agility – that’s what the association should and will offer its members under my leadership.”

Krauss spent his professional life to date at Spectaris member companies, including as CEO at Carl Zeiss Meditec and as managing director sales and marketing at Carl Zeiss Vision International. He thus brings significant experience to the heterogeneous umbrella association structure of Spectaris, which is characterized by the coexistence of optics, photonics, analytical and medical technology.

Matis Kuchejda, managing director and owner of Schmidt und Haensch GmbH & Co, was elected treasurer for another two years. André Schulte was also re-elected as vice chairman.

Dr Bernhard Ohnesorge, managing director of Carl Zeiss Jena, was newly elected as vice chairman. Ohnesorge is also chairman of the photonics association at Spectaris.

Josef May also resigned his consumer optics chairmanship after 17 years. Mirjam Rösch, commercial director GAS and managing director at Hoya Lens Deutschland, was elected as his successor at the Consumer Optics Industry Day.